Eczema help

[Cookie3]

my tiny ds is 9 months and has eczema..will coconut oil help him? We've been putting hydrocortsone cream on it but haven't noticed a difference. Any suggestions for natural remedies?

[DocsNemesis]

My kids all get eczema. The very first thing I'd do is stop with any soaps/bubble bath in the tub. My kids get *rinsed* with water except for very dirty areas and I was their hair as seldom as possible too (easier said than done at times, haha). When I wash their hair, I use high moisturizing shampoo/conditioner, not stuff meant for babies usually (they tend to get dandruff badly otherwise) and rinse very well, including a fresh water rinse while they're standing. I think my son has soap on parts of him MAYBE once a week....my daughters even less.

Id also try changing their fabric soaps. My daughter, it turned out, was having a reaction to Tide (I had switched from some cheapie brand when my dh started working, to help with stains-the cheapie one didnt give her a reaction, go fig). I use mainly Country Save or Mrs. Meyers Baby Blossom, no reactions with either. Country Save is, at least for me, MUCH easier to find though.

[DocsNemesis]

OH and if, for some reason, they have a bad reaction to something, I put pure cocoa butter on it, but only if its dry or itching/bothering them.

[iamloved22]

My DH & DD have very bad eczema. I've done several things around here, first my DD is highly allergic to Tide I use T-Wave Laundry Discs for ALL our wash with just a drop of Ecos detergent with really dirty stuff and/or diaper loads. I use a watered down Tom's of Maine baby shampoo in a foamer bottle for her once a week (or less often) baths along with a collodial oatmeal bath soak that I make. No bubbles (I know poor kiddo). I use a spray on detangler/cond. on her super fine hair after bath & when I brush her hair. I also use a super thick cream after baths and any time we get the "itchies", my DH has started using it too now. I get the detangler & cream from Blue House Soaps. My DH's dermatologist recommended only luke warm water for baths and the oatmeal soak. If it get's really bad my DH has some perscription cream he uses as well since he works in wet conditions and it irritates his skin even more.

[Cookie3]

Wow! Thanks for the replies.
I make my own laundry detergent..borax, Colgate laundry soap and baking soda w/ a little oxyclean. How can I tell if this is an irritant to my ds?

[jadekat]

I use California Baby Super Sensitive bodywash and caledula cream on them. I bathe them about 2-3 times a week. If I go longer than that they get itchy.

[tracyhos]

My 2 y.o. has eczema. We have tried so many things. So far, the only thing that has worked really well is the Aveeno Baby Eczema baby wash and moisturizing cream. If he gets a bad flare up, I mix a bit of hydrocortisone cream into the Aveeno cream. This is what our ped. recommends. She doesn't prescribe Elidel (sp?) anymore, now that it has a black box warning.

I would like to find something a bit more natural. I picked up some California Baby Super Sensitive bodywash/shampoo and Super Sensititve Lotion at Target. I'm going to give that a try when we finish up the Aveeno stuff.

[Angel36]

Try Aveeno Lotion!

[henny penny]

We tried about 15 different organic, all natural lotions, oils, baths, etc. (I won't list them all) and were finally getting a prescription out of desperation when I tried Aveeno Excema Care Cream. Ds excema was clear in 48 hours. It has some ingredients I don't care for, but it's better than cortisone or prescription creams. We have a tube in every room now!

[jadekat]

Originally Posted by henny penny

We tried about 15 different organic, all natural lotions, oils, baths, etc. (I won't list them all) and were finally getting a prescription out of desperation when I tried Aveeno Excema Care Cream. Ds excema was clear in 48 hours. It has some ingredients I don't care for, but it's better than cortisone or prescription creams. We have a tube in every room now!

I tried that and it made my DD excema worse. I'm glad it works for you though.

[sunshine&lollipops]

I use Aquaphor made by Eucerin. It's worked great for us.

[His Own]

I used to have terrible eczema myself, especially on my shins. A dermatologist gave me some prescription cream to get it under control, then told me I need to oil my skin all over after every shower. Now days I like to bathe in the bathtub, and add about a tablespoon of coconut oil to the water. My skin loves it, and I have never had the eczema re-occur.

For a baby, you would need much less coconut oil I guess, but you will notice his skin get better and better.

As to the laundry soap, he may well be allergic to fragrances. If so, even your homemade soap will have too much for him. I can use Charlie's Soap with no problems, so maybe that would work for you. My skin is so sensitive that I cannot even wear undies with any dye in them. I have to buy and wear white undies only. So if coconut oil and Charlie's Soap work for me, they are likely to work for anyone.

Good luck!

[jemar]

We tried everything too. What worked for us was Mountain Rose Herb Baby balm and Seventh Generation Free and Clear laundry detergent.

[Malva]

I've had eczema since I was a baby. The only thing that seems to work for me is taking probiotics regularly. I clued in when my chiro told me that's what the naturopath always recommends parents do first when they have children with eczema. I tried it and it worked for me.

[Malva]

Aside from that, using unscented products, soap only when necessary, avoiding trigger foods is all good advice.

No scratchy clothing, only well worn stuff also helps.

[amcal]

Emu oil! My DD had terrible eczema a couple years ago and I did some research. I discovered emu oil, tried it and within days, her eczema was gone.

I developed a salve based on emu oil and it works amazingly well. Back when I had my bath and body business, this was my best seller - people swore by it for a whole host of skin issues but the main thing peple raved about was how it worked on eczema.

[Marni]

all great suggestions -- especially staying away from soap, using fragrance-free detergent, and using LESS detergent.

Eczema and other skin issues are often a reaction to something going on on the INSIDE . I've also known people whose children were completely cured from eczema once they stopped vaccinating the child. Also, some whose went away when they stopped dairy, soy, gluten and eggs.

Good luck.

[jadekat]

Originally Posted by Marni

I've also known people whose children were completely cured from eczema once they stopped vaccinating the child. Also, some whose went away when they stopped dairy, soy, gluten and eggs.

Good luck.

What if your child only had 1 set of shots? My DS only had the 2 month (done at 9 months)set. His exzema started up right after his 2nd birthday.

[jennyfah]

Fish oil!! High quality (Metagenics) DHA/EPA. Take it yourself if you are breastfeeding; otherwise get a high-quality kids' supplement. Works wonders for many kinds of atopic eczema/dermatitis. Also, a good probiotic for you and baby can be hugely helpful.

I'm of the opinion that the vast majority of skin issues are internal---that is, something going on inside your body, either allergies, immunity, or food issues. Switching/adding topical stuff (lotions, switching detergents, etc.) can help since they may aggravate what's already there, but the real "cure" is going to be internal.

That's my opinion. If you try it, I hope it helps!
Jen